Mohave County miner., 1887-09-24
\ ARIZONA TERRITORY.


| editor OF the MonAvE County MINER. mn~
Who has not heard Of Arizona From
tho discovery OF the great continent Of
America by Christopher Columbus in 1892,
tho very mention OF the word Arizona has
brought forth in the mind OF the bearer
visions Of untold wealth, OF gold, silver,
copper, lead, platinum, iron, tin, nickel,
mercury, coal and other valuable metals,
Of rubies, diamonds, amethysts, garnets
and precious stones generally, and, in
fact, OF everything that would conduce to
the wealth and happiness Of the human
race. Although Arizona has history
elder than that Of any political division
Of the American Union, until the last two
or three years II remained comparatively
unknown; but the efforts of the Territorial
Commissioner OF immigration, backed up
by the entire press OF the Territory, has
resulted in the widespread dissemination
OF the general resources Of the Territory
as whole, and, by individual efforts,
some particular portions Of the Territory
have been we'll advertised.
The great Territory OF Arizona was
separated from New Mexico by an Act of
Congress and organized February oath,
1868, with full get OF Territorial officials.
1t is situated in the southwest corner Of
the United States, and Is bounded on the
North by Utah, on the East by New Mex.
leo, on the South by Mexico and on the
West by California and Nevada, and lies
between 81 degrees 81 minutes and 81 de-
grces North latitude and 100 degrees and
la degrees As minutes West longitude,
embracing an area Of 1l3,967 square
miles, or 72,906,24o acres. It's greatest
length from north to south is $50 miles,
AMI from east TO west nearly $50 miles,
being larger than all New England and
Pennsylvania combined.
While this book is designed especially
to etforth the mining and other resources
OF one OF the least known OF the ten coun-
ties into which Arizona is now divided, a
short physical and geographical descrip-
ton OF the whole Territory will not be
considered out OF place. The general sur.
face Of Arizona consists OF high and vide
plateaus or valleys, occasionally interrupt
ed by ranges OF mountains, extending
from northeast 10 southwest, diversified
Ikyi ignt lad oh Il
and feet above the plains. The plateaus
and mountain ranges are intersected by
numerous streams of considerable volume,
sometimes running in deep canyons, and
at other sections OF their course flowing
through broad and fertile valleys, and
skirted by luxuriant growth Of oak,
pine, ash and cottonwood, or bordcred by
magnificent meadows, stretching back on
each side TO the foothills Of neighboring
mountains, or the rise Of the plateau.
The principal river OF the Territory is
the Colorado OF the West, which, formed
in Utah by the union Of the Green and
Grand rivers, flows first southwest and
then northwest through the northwest
corner OF Arizona, and forms most OF its
western boundary. The Colorado within
Arizona pursues turbulent course
through the Grand Canyon, stupendous
fissure over 400 miles long, with vertical
walls rising from 500 TO ], 800 feet above
the stream, and exterior banks from 800
to 5000 feet above the river bed. Two
hundred minor streams precipitate them
selves over its banks, forming an endless
variety Of cascades. The Black Canyon,
on the same river, in its lower course is
scarcely inferior. Below Colville, 600
miles from its mouth, the Colorado is sus-
ceptible OF steam navigation, and at high
water in June and July OF each year the
steamers Of the Colorado Steam Naviga.
ton Company ascend some rs miles
higher. The highest mountains are prin-
cipally granitic, with altered sandstones
on their flanks. The southwestern part
OF the Territory has been the scene OF
violent volcanic action, and extinct crat-
ers and streams Of lava abound.
Arizona is we'll adapted to agriculture,
especially if aided by irrigation, particu-
larly in the valleys Of the San Pedro,
Salt River, Rio Verde, Gila and Colorado.
In the Salt River and Verde valleys, as
indeed all over the Territory, extensive
Aztec ruins and deserted haciendas
abound, the remains of ancient civiliza.
tion. The climate is cminently salubrious
and delightful throughout the year, and
although excessively hot in places during
the summer, the heat is OF dry and
healthful kind, which does not produce
the enervation and lassitude of the moist
heat Of the Eastern portion Of the United
States. In addition to this, the nights, In
Northern Arizona especially, are always
cool and pleasant, 50 much so that one
may sleep under pair OF blankets all the
year round, and arise vigorous and re-.
freshed.
The Indians, OF whom there are a great
many tribes scattered throughout the Ter
ritory, are friendly, with the exception Of
the Apaches, all of whom are now con.
fined 10 their reservation at San Carlos, in
the Southeastern portion Of the Territory,
and many Of them follow the peaceful
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